Montreal, Qc. (March 05, 2019) – The Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association (QASEA) and Kativik Ilisarniliriniq (KI) are deligthed to announce that the 2019 Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair will be held from March 26 to 28, in the auditorium of the Kuujjuaq municipal office.

“Under the theme The Science of Indigenous Knowledge, the science fair brings together First Nations and Inuit youth from across the whole province. It provides a unique opportunity for them to connect over science projects that are rooted in their respective cultures”, says Marc Lalande, President of QASEA.

“I am really proud that the school board will be hosting this fantastic event. I believe the hands-on experience of science projects is powerful. It allows students to engage with Inuit knowledge, and to understand it as science. This process is important to motivate students and can inspire them to pursue their interest for science further,” said Robert Watt, President of Kativik Ilisarniliriniq.

On March 27 and 28, over 70 participants will present their science projects to judges. The teams having developed the best projects will be awarded prizes on March 28, at a ceremony to be held in the auditorium of the Kuujjuaq municipal office.

Many activities have also been planned for participants. “We want to make sure our visitors get a taste of Inuit culture during their stay in Kuujjuaq,” adds Mr Watt. Activities proposed will include Inuit games demonstrations with the renowned athlete, actor and cultural educator Johnny Issaluk, and much more.

Among the winners at the secondary level, up to four will be selected to represent the “Aboriginal Quebec Autochtone” region at the Canada-Wide Science Fair (Fredericton, New Brunswick, May 15-17, 2019).

Every year, the Quebec Aboriginal Science Fair is hosted by a different Indigenous community in the province. The host school board and community are selected by the QASEA, among schools of Quebec’s First Nations and Inuit communities.

About us:

The Quebec Aboriginal Science and Engineering Association (QASEA) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote sciences and engineering to Aboriginal youth attending school in First Nations and Inuit Communities in Quebec. QASEA achieves its mission through the Aboriginal Science Fair Program. More information at: www.asfquebec.ca

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq, the school board of Nunavik, was created in 1975, under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (JBNQA). Since 1978, it has been the exclusive provider of educational services to all Nunavik residents. Under the JBNQA, the school board also acts as an institution with unique powers and jurisdiction geared towards the protection and development of the Inuit language, culture, and way of life, through the delivery of tailored educational services and programs. The education programs developed by the school board are offered in all schools of the 14 Nunavik communities, in Inuktitut as first language and in French and English as second languages. The school board operates 17 primary and secondary schools as well as 5 adult education centres and a pre-college facility. More information can be found at: www.kativik.qc.ca